Mr. Basketball Finalist: Ryan Hurst

North Farmington’s Mr. Basketball finalist Ryan Hurst.

No Mr. Basketball finalist helped their cause to make the ballot through their senior season as North Farmington’s Ryan Hurst. He’s been scoring if forever,  now showing up against and again versus a loaded schedule for one of the state’s best teams will earn that kind of opportunity. Hurst is the lone finalist who will play his college ball in-state. at Detroit-Mercy. Here’s a look at his rise to elite status, back to his freshman season.

Statement Win for North Farmington, Feb. 23:  Hurst has recently been raved about in this space, and he continues to impress. He scored a game-high 22 points against Muskegon. He scored 10 in the third quarter when the Raiders started to separate. A truly tough cover who will knock down a 3 on one trip, then attack the paint on the next. A retro artist in the post, who will bully guards or pump fake bigs. Defensively, he’s able to use his size and strength to knock ball-handlers off balance without fouling with his hands. He should be spring priority target for mid-majors, best case scenario Ben Reed; other end, Blake Cushingberry.

Offensive Juggernaut, Ryan Hurst, Jan. 23: North Farmington runs lots of sets, and Hurst, a burly 6-3, is most effective when starting from the block, moving his big frame around to screen and causing switches before going to work. High IQ off the ball, and patient waiting for screens. When Tae Boyd went on him in the second quarter, the first switch and Hurst immediately went to post up. After his hot start from deep, he then caught Grand Blanc overplaying and back-cut into a big hop to finish off the glass. He was less effective in the second quarter when having to go one-on-one from 30 feet out and more. But it was a similar setup late in the game, with Hurst pulling Boyd, Grand Blanc’s best athlete and shot-blocker, far from the play as North Farmington got an open layup for a 46-42 lead. Against players not named Boyd it was easier, as Hurst is patient attacking the right foot, then has an assortment of reverse pivots, spins, to get free, forays that end best when he uses the glass. Hurst played the entire game, and while he plays at a pace that no one would confuse for a sprint, he was still covering space consistently on defense, and his pull-up shots had more legs and umph in the fourth quarter than the first.

Michigan’s Top Dozen Senior Shooters, Sept. 22: A power guard who can play bullyball to score in the paint and sets up space with range well past the three-point arc, like his six three-pointer, 36-point district final breakout last March. D1 prospect for a team with state championship aspirations.

Senior Risers in 2023 Rankings, Aug. 22: Natural-born scorer who can beat you various ways and poured in 23 per game as a junior. Yet he’s just getting started. A trim and fit Hurst now in his second season playing for Todd Negoshian at NF is a tough scenario to scout for. Watch out when hot from 3, with deep, easy range. A rare combination of a guy who can pile up high school points through sheer physicality, but also has a college skill level to create depending on the competition. Of which there will be as the Raiders always have a tough schedule, and this squad should have legitimate Breslin aspirations.

Another Crown for Detroit Unified, May 22: Jackson’s North Farmington 2023 teammate Ryan Hurst continued his stellar AAU spring in Lansing. He’s 6-3 and thick, not the type a high school guard wants to cover for any amount of time, as he’ll bounce you down the lane or spot up and hit a pure-looking 3. Has the potential to be a serious run-and-jump defender, knocking guys off the ball.

Michigan’s freshmen look born-ready, Dec. 19: The state’s highest-scoring freshman is 6-2 Ryan Hurst from West Bloomfield. He has a varsity-ready body and finishes at a high rate from either side. He scored 31 as WB beat Southfield Christian. Then Hurst came back with 18 in a much more hard-earned win against University Prep.